Will County Heroes Teaching & Nursing Scholarship

Yes, applications will not be reviewed until student has completed either FAFSA or Rise Act application.

Please visit the University of St. Francis Financial Aid webpage for assistance completing the FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. You may also call 815-740-3843 or email finaid@stfrancis.edu to speak with someone in the Financial Aid Department.

No, both part-time and full-time students are eligible to apply.

No, there is no minimum GPA requirement.

New USF undergraduate students taking classes with the intention of becoming an elementary education teacher, a secondary education teacher, a special education teacher or a nurse, AND who qualify by meeting one or more of the following financial criteria:

1. Student household has a low or moderate income (income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for the size of the household).
2. Student household experienced unemployment as a result of the pandemic.
3. Student household qualified for Medicaid, PELL, SNAP or WIC.

Yes, complete and submit a Student Attestation/Scholarship Application Form each semester to verify that you are still eligible to receive the grant.

• Scholarship applicants may receive up to $2,500 per semester, and up to $5,000 per academic year (fall, spring, summer) in tuition.
• This scholarship is a “last dollar” scholarship meaning MAP, PELL and NESP will be used toward paying your tuition first. In other words, this scholarship will only apply once MAP, PELL and NESP have been exhausted and if outstanding tuition charges remain on your student account.

Yes.

• No, however, if a student drops a course, these scholarship dollars will not be refunded directly to the student.  
• In the rare case where a student’s file is selected for verification, or a review of conflicting information, after they have been awarded this scholarship, the award would be temporarily unavailable until the student submits the necessary documentation to complete the review. If the student does not comply, or is determined to be ineligible for the award, the scholarship will be removed from their account and they would be responsible for any outstanding tuition balance.

Applications will be processed weekly. If you complete the FAFSA or Rise Act in advance of completing the scholarship application, this will expedite the disbursement process. Applications from students who have not completed FAFSA or Rise Act will not be processed.

Yes, please complete the Rise Act prior to completing this scholarship application.